Globalization is at its peak at the moment, when different cultures cross each other’s paths with regard to profession, business, art, philosophy, travel, technology, and many more. In the professional world, the concept of a ‘multi-national company’ is much more prevalent in recent times. Thousands of multi-national companies are spreading their branches all over the world. Some of the major multinational companies have their branches in almost every important city in the world. It is also a distribution of a certain cultural awareness.
In this spirit of competition, these companies, by default involve people of different ethnicity in their organizations. When a company decides to spread its domain across borders by setting up branches in different cities of different countries, it is economical to recruit people from the respective country where the branch has been established. This causes an intermingling of the cultures. The company, in a whole, has a global way of working policy. But employees, belonging to varying cultural backgrounds, have varying approaches towards work and organization. Due to cultural differences, problems arise in such organizations. But it is the duty of the international management, to convert these differences from weakness to strength.
Firstly, it is the duty of foreign companies to make it clear to the natives that foreign investors and businessmen are here to help and contribute to the economy in a positive way. Hence, cultural adaptation is necessary on the part of both the employees and the foreign company.
Communication is one of the biggest problems for foreign companies in Thailand. The intercultural differences would give birth to concerns regarding communication that are mostly associated with assigning of tasks at the workplace, time management, and difference in mentality that leads to issues in accountability. The language barrier is obviously a very crucial factor here that affects personal and professional relationships. Thus, communication gaps need to be decreased.
Certain Cross-Cultural Management is required in such companies where several cross-cultural perspectives need to be taken into consideration. Change in an organization should be monitored and managed. Initially, it is important to develop an awareness of intercultural differences by demonstrating such positive attitudes as a willingness to understand and adjust to the culture of the host country, communicating different opinions without any hesitation, willingness to accept and accommodate the differences, showing respect for the local employees and being a good inspiration. The foreigner should also show positive personal attributes such as being hard-working, polite, open-minded, honest, and friendly. These characteristics are globally acceptable to most international businessmen and businesswomen. More discussions and conversations need to take place to understand one another. An increase in communication is the only solution to this communication gap. This would help the work environment to be healthier and the relationship between the employee and the employer to be cordial.
